55th JESSE JAMES FESTIVAL
Scheduled for Sept. 12 and Sept. 18-20, 2026
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ABBREVIATED SCHEDULE OF EVENTS
CHECK BACK FOR UPDATES
SATURDAY, SEPT. 12
7pm – Demolition Derby and Kids Power Wheels featuring “Robinson Chainsaw Carvings” on display for the evening auction
Admission: 6 & under FREE. ** $15 per person for ages 7 & Up
Pit Passes $25 (additional)
NO ONE UNDER AGE 13 ALLOWED IN PITS !
Presented by: Grandstand Attractions Inc.
FRIDAY, SEPT 18
8am-7pm 38th Annual and 35th State Championship – Jesse James BBQ Cookoff registration
7pm to 9pm – Catfish Tournament – FREE ! * – registration on site
Ages 12 – 15 at the Jesse James Park, Kearney
SATURDAY, SEPT. 19
7:30 AM – 10 AM – VFW Country Breakfast
VFW Hall – Presented by: E. Howard Porter Post 5717
8am – Parade staging of lineup
8am – Little Mr. & Miss Registration – in front of Kearney Feed Supply
8am – 1 1 am – Arts & Crafts vendors – set up time -Jesse James Park
8:30am- Judging of Little Mr. & Miss- in front of Kearney Feed Supply
9am -Judging of parade entries –
Each Category Awarded 1st with plaque, 2nd & 3rd places with ribbons
- Float
- Non-motorized
- Motorized
- Equestrian
- Crowd Pleaser
**The Traveling Trophy is awarded to the entrant that best represents the 2025 Parade theme **
9am – 4pm – 37th Annual and 35th State Championship – Jesse James Cookoff
9:30 am – Disc Golf tournament -Jesse James Park- Presented by Phil Schmeltz
10 am – 2025 Parade starts – downtown Kearney
11 am – 6pm Arts & Crafts Alley opens to public
11 am – Garden Tractor Pull – FREE ADMISSION !! Details
8 classes
presented by: Bucket Brigade Garden Tractor Pulling, LLC
Location: Demolition derby arena
1 pm – Mud Volleyball tournament starts
4 pm – BBQ Cookoff Award Winners announced
4 pm – Mutton Busting Registration at arena – Ages 6 & under
5 pm – Drawing of names of Mutton Busting riders – Riders will pay $10 registration fee at this time
5:30 pm – Mutton Busting ride
6 pm – URA/MRCA Rodeo presented by C.R. McKellips Rodeo Co., Inc.
with Kids Boot Scramble & “Robinson Chainsaw Carvings” on display for the evening auction
Admission: 6 & under is FREE. $15 per person for ages 7 & Up.
***Rodeo contestant Registration call in:
Wednesday, Sept 9, 2026 l0 am to 3 pm 417-876-2353
SUNDAY, SEPT. 20
9am -Jesse James Open Car Show Registration on site $25 per car
Top 40 Cars Receive Plaques
50/50 – Cooler Drawing
DRAWING FOR ½ OF A HOG
LIVE BAND – 10 AM TO 2PM – CODY VANDERAU BAND
9am – 1 lam – Kids Fishing Tournament -Jesse James Park – FREE
Age class groups: 0 – 6 yrs of age and 7 – 12 yrs of age
10 am – Cowboy Worship Service – tent by rodeo arena
Presented by: High Point Cowboy Church
10 am -Jesse James Open Car show opens to the public !
11 am – 5pm – Arts & Crafts Alley opens to the public
11 am -Jesse James Open Tractor Show – Show off your tractor – FREE!
12:30 PM – Mutton Busting Registration at arena – Ages 6 & under
1:30 PM – Drawing of names of Mutton Busting Riders – Riders will pay $10 registration fee at this time
2:00 PM – pm Mutton Busting ride
2:00 pm -Jesse James Open Car Show Winners Announced and names drawn for the hog
2:30 pm – URA/MRCA Rodeo presented by C.R. McKellips Rodeo Co., Inc.
with Kids Boot Scramble
Rodeo Admission: 6 & under Free. $15 per person for ages 7 & Up.
** Rodeo Contestant registration call in: Wednesday, Sept. 9, 2026 10 am to 3pm @ 417-876-2353